Now would be a good time. And as OkashiiBrew suggested, cover the opening with a cloth as you slowly and carefully remove the airlock. Put the blowoff tube in place, and put the other end into a bowl or bucket of clean water.

thanks to every one of you for the tips, very helpful. I switched to the blow off hose and it worked perfectly. Today I switched to the secondary fermentor (after 7 days in primary) with an airlock. So far so good!

I had an explosion even with the blow-off tube. Now I use an airlock, but just set the bucket lid on loose, with a little weight to hold it in place. After a few days, I check the bottom of the airlock and snap the lid down. It can still run over the top, but it won't be violent.

I just had my first explosion, wish i had read through this before. So now of course I'm gonna use a blow-off tube from now on.

My only concern is that I work out of town a lot. Do y'all see any issue with the sanitized water in the pitcher getting contaminated if the krausen leaks into it while I'm gone? I'm gone for a week or 2 at a time.

2 times in 2 weeks. This newest batch has a starsan washcloth over the airlock and is in the guest room shower. Will keep the airlock on loose like ncbrewer's lid so the sanitized washcloth will cover the carboy if it pops. If it is really bad, I can run the shower with the hand held sprayer and clean up. Great way to cool down a hot fermentation quickly, or heat up a stalled fermentation too... maybe....

I've only ever used an airlock and use a 6.5g bucket for 5g batches, but my next recipe (EdWorts Robust Porter) highly recommends a blowoff tube.

Is this an issue with 1.5g of headspace in the bucket, or should I definitely use a B. Tube? Also, since the bucket only has a very small hole for the airlock, probably 1/4" dia., how could I possibly fit in a big enough tube?

I always start with a blow off tube. After all is is just another form of an airlock.

Out of all the batches I have brewed, not many blew off. There is mo way to predict it. I have had a high gravity brew just slowly chug along. On the other hand, had a low gravity brew blow off like crazy.

Each fermentation is different so I figure a blow off tube is easier than mopping the ceiling.

I had an explosion even with the blow-off tube. Now I use an airlock, but just set the bucket lid on loose, with a little weight to hold it in place. After a few days, I check the bottom of the airlock and snap the lid down. It can still run over the top, but it won't be violent.

What size tube did you use? Your using a bucket so you only can get about 5/16 inch size tube? or did you attach a tube to the airlock? I just started using a carboy and the 1 inch tube is nice for a blow-off.

What size tube did you use? Your using a bucket so you only can get about 5/16 inch size tube? or did you attach a tube to the airlock? I just started using a carboy and the 1 inch tube is nice for a blow-off.

Yeah, this is what I really can't figure out? And if you attach a tub to the airlock, won't the whole apparatus still be limited by the smallest diameter? If it clogs at the connection between airlock/bucket, won't I still have the issue of the airlock exploding off, taking the blowoff tube with it?

I guess there is the bucket method of loosely attaching the lid and putting a light weight on it...